Location > Press Room

Press Room

20th April 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jo Tooby
Phone: 021 779560
Email: j.tooby@7designsecrets.com
Web: www.woom.co.nz, www.7designsecrets.com

NELSON HAS A PULSE

150 guests, 4 artists, 18 flavoured vodkas and 1 DJ fuelled the opening of WOOM~one, Nelson's new contemporary art exhibition, on the evening of Thursday 20th April. The expectant crowd gravitated to the 7 Design Secrets building on Selwyn Place to celebrate a vibrant mix of people, art, graphics, music and vodka.

The innovative and sometimes challenging artwork was the subject of much debate.  The WOOM space was an interesting concept in itself - a gallery painted entirely red - which made a novel backdrop for the artists' pieces.  Co-director, Gareth Lawes, was amazed at the response. "Invites only went out a few days ago, but the number of people who turned up was staggering," he said. "It just goes to show how starved of contemporary events the Nelson community is."

The mad scientists behind the bar served guests a choice of 18 different flavoured vodkas, such as Curious Mint and Big Charlie Bubgum.  Fresh sushi accompanied the vodka which made a refreshing change to the routine wine and cheese.  On the decks, guest DJ Nick kept the pace of the evening pushing along with an eclectic mix of stomping beats.

WOOM is the result of a collaborative effort between Andy Clover of Go Ahead Punk and Gareth Lawes of 7 Design Secrets.  WOOM was created to provide an unconventional space in which to exhibit contemporary art, with a focus on art not usually seen in Nelson.  Artists are already lined up for two further WOOM exhibitions later in the year, including a well known graffiti artist from Wellington.

WOOM~one, which shows works by Andrew Bryden, Stephen Clover, Matt Frost and Dean Raybould is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm until 5th May, First Floor, 7 Design Secrets.